Hill's climb took bank to heights of industry

At age 27, he opened first Commerce office

Jun. 30, 2007

Written by

EILEEN SMITH
and JIM WALSH

On the day that Vernon W. Hill II announced his departure from Commerce Bancorp Inc., his employees threw a party.

Festive balloons floated in Commerce lobbies across South Jersey. Smiling workers, most dressed in the bank's trademark red, gave away candy and cupcakes.

But this wasn't a celebration of Hill's abrupt exit. Instead, Commerce on Friday marked its 34th birthday - and showed the emphasis on people-pleasing pioneered by Hill, its founder and longtime leader. ...